--- title: "The Best Salt Spreaders of 2026, Tested and Reviewed" description: "The best salt spreaders can help you take care of icy areas in record time. See our tested reviews and which one was our favorite." date: "2025-01-23" modified: "2026-01-22" authors: - name: "Michelle Larson" job_title: "Assistant Editor" link: "https://www.bobvila.com/authors/michelle-larson/" url: "https://www.bobvila.com/reviews/best-salt-spreader/" categories: - "Reviews" tags: - "Commerce" - "MPR" --- # The Best Salt Spreaders of 2026, Tested and Reviewed ![The Best Salt Spreader Options]() *Photo: Michelle Larson for BobVila.com* Salt spreaders don't get the attention they deserve. Though freshly fallen snow has a beautiful way of blanketing neighborhoods in a peaceful ambiance, it's not long before cold concrete can turn that snow into slippery ice. Enter salt spreaders, which are simple tools that make it much easier and quicker to apply deicing salt to driveways, walkways, and other outdoor areas. Though I'm a firm believer in safety first, I also acknowledge that using too much salt to melt accumulated snow and ice can damage concrete, harm plants and animals, and [contaminate water](). Salt spreaders help mitigate this problem by maintaining even distribution and keeping salt confined to intended areas. To determine which salt spreaders are worth their price, we researched dozens of popular spreaders before testing six top options on our [driveway and walkways](), as well as on our front steps and deck. Our favorite was the [Scotts Elite Spreader]() for its even and easy application, convenience and control, and ability to accommodate both granular and rock salt. Read on to see our test results for this and the rest of the products we recommend before choosing one of the best salt spreaders for your property. ## Salt Spreaders Comparison Chart | **Product Name** | **Type** | **Capacity** | **Spread Width** | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Scotts Elite Spreader]() | Walk-Behind | 80 pounds | 6 feet | | [Spot Spreader Hand Spreader Shaker for Seed and Salt]() | Hand | 5 pounds | n/a | | [Scotts Whirl Hand-Powered Spreader]() | Hand | 2 pounds | 12 inches | | [Ryobi 18V One+ 1-Gallon Power Spreader]() | Battery-Powered Hand | 10 pounds | 5 feet | | [Chapin 8201A 80-Pound Broadcast Salt Spreader]() | Walk-Behind | 80 pounds | 4 feet | | [Agri-Fab 130-lb. Ice Melt Push Spreader]() | Walk-Behind | 130 pounds | 10 to 12 feet | ![The Best Salt Spreaders]() *Photo: Michelle Larson for BobVila.com* ![The Best Salt Spreader]() *Photo: Michelle Larson for BobVila.com* ![The Best Salt Spreader Spot Spreader with rock salt]() *Photo: Michelle Larson for BobVila.com* ![The Best Salt Spreader Scotts Whir spreader trigger and dial]() ![The Best Salt Spreader Spot Spreader side view]() *Photo: Michelle Larson for BobVila.com* ![The Best Salt Spreader Scotts Elite spreader dial]() **Our Ratings:** Assembly **5/5**; Distribution **4.75/5**; Durability **4.5/5**; Value **5/5** With a dual-rotor design, the Scotts Elite walk-behind salt spreader has an impressive 80-pound capacity and 6-foot spread width for quick salt application to driveways, sidewalks, and decks. It comes mostly assembled other than attaching its 10-inch never-flat tires and flipping up its ergonomic handle. In our tests, we found it stable and easy to maneuver, even when filled with all 35 pounds of [ice melt]() we had on hand. The Scotts Elite salt dispenser for snow and ice features dial settings from two to 15, meaning it works with everything from fine lawn fertilizers to chunky rock salt. Since we're careful to avoid unnecessarily applying ice melt for environmental and economic reasons, we wish this model featured its EdgeGuard technology next to both rotors instead of just one. Still, so long as we planned which direction we went when working next to our lawn, we found the application to be even and relatively easy to control. **What our tester says:** "If I could only choose one salt and [fertilizer spreader](), this would be it. It holds a ton of product, moves easily over uneven terrain, and makes quick work of large areas." —Michelle Larson, Product Reviews tester and writer **Get the Scotts Elite salt spreader at** [**Lowe's**]()**,** [**Tractor Supply Co.**]()**,** [**Ace Hardware**]()**, or** [**The Home Depot**]()**.** ## More Salt Spreaders Worth Your Money While we were happy to melt ice and snow with the help of our top pick, we understand that it may not be right for everyone. The following five spreaders also passed our tests and might be better for those with differing capacity needs. 1. **Spot Spreader Hand Spreader Shaker for Seed and Salt**, available at [Amazon]() or [Northern Tool + Equipment](). 2. **Scotts Whirl Hand-Powered Spreader**, available at [Amazon](), [Lowe's](), [Tractor Supply Co.](), [Ace Hardware](), [The Home Depot](), or [Scotts](). 3. **Ryobi 18V One+ 1-Gallon Power Spreader**, available at [The Home Depot](). 4. **Chapin 8201A 80-Pound Broadcast Salt Spreader**, available at [Tractor Supply Co.]() or [The Home Depot](). 5. **Agri-Fab 130-lb. Ice Melt Push Spreader**, available at [Tractor Supply Co.](), [Northern Tool + Equipment](), [Blain's Farm & Fleet](), or [Agri-Fab](). ## How We Tested the Best Salt Spreaders | **Testing Stats** | | | --- | --- | | Products tested | 6 | | Hours spent testing | 13 hours | | Tests performed | 6 | | Price range | $20 to $400 | There are hundreds of salt spreaders on the market, so choosing just a few to test wasn't easy. To make our decision, we researched various types of spreaders, including everything from salt spreaders for trucks to simple feed scoops. Once we selected six options, we put each through a series of tests, including assembly, using them with granular salt and rock salt, and evaluating any additional features. We rated each product according to a rubric and gave the highest overall scorer our award for the best salt spreader. | | **Assembly** | **Distribution** | **Durability** | **Value** | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Scotts Elite Spreader]() | 5 | 4.75 | 4.5 | 5 | | [Spot Spreader Hand Spreader Shaker for Seed and Salt]() | n/a | 4.5 | 4 | 5 | | [Scotts Whirl Hand-Powered Spreader]() | n/a | 4.25 | 4 | 5 | | [Ryobi 18V One+ 1-Gallon Power Spreader]() | n/a | 4 | 4 | 4.25 | | [Chapin 8201A 80-Pound Broadcast Salt Spreader]() | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 5 | | [Agri-Fab 130-lb. Ice Melt Push Spreader]() | 3.5 | 4.75 | 5 | 4 | ## What to Consider When Choosing a Salt Spreader When choosing the right salt spreader, there are a few important factors to keep in mind. These include the size of the surfaces in need of salting, which type of spreader you prefer, and the quality of materials, among other things. ### Types of Salt Spreaders The snow salt spreaders we tested for home use are exclusively walk-behind and handheld models. However, larger commercial settings may require a truck salt spreader or a salt spreader for a tractor. #### Handheld Many residential salt spreaders are designed as compact handheld units. Scoop-style models are sometimes fully open, and others have lids with various-size holes to accommodate both granular and rock salt while helping control the amount of product dispensed at once. A slightly more complex handheld salt spreader may feature a hopper up top and a mechanism that opens to allow salt to project from the front of the spreader. Open-top hopper-style units are available in hand-crank or battery-powered versions with dials to allow various sizes of ice through. These types of handheld units generally work best with granular salt and may clog with rock-style products. #### Walk-Behind Walk-behind salt spreaders are more substantial than handheld units, incorporating larger hoppers as well as wheels, handles, and a range of additional features. They're better suited to larger surfaces where users want to cover a decent amount of square footage quickly. On the flip side, their size makes them tricky to use in tight spots and on stairs. Our top picks for walk-behind spreaders project salt in widths between 4 and 6 feet and feature at least one fin or deflector to help control spread width as desired. Most walk-behind spreaders have a wide range of opening settings to accommodate small materials like fertilizer, substantial pieces of rock salt, and everything in between. #### Towable While we only tested handheld and walk-behind spreaders in this guide, towable and hitch-mount salt spreaders are also available for larger properties or commercial use. Towable electric salt spreaders can help users avoid having to rely on [snow removal services]() for the job, although they do require mounting to a truck, ATV, or lawn tractor. ### Capacity and Job Size Perhaps the biggest factor to consider when choosing the best salt spreader is the size of the area in need of treatment before or after a storm. Since handheld units often hold only 5 pounds of salt or less, they're better for smaller spaces like stairs or detailed work alongside the edge of a driveway. Walk-behind units are helpful for driveways, sidewalks, and decks since they allow quick application over larger areas and often incorporate fins or deflectors to help increase accuracy. The walk-behind units we tested have a capacity of 80 to 130 pounds, though smaller and larger models are available. In our perfect world, we would own both a walk-behind and a handheld spreader for speed and precision. Towable salt spreaders can hold over 100 pounds of salt, making them ideal for deicing sizable surfaces quickly. Generally speaking, though, they aren't as accurate as smaller units. ### Material and Durability Most salt spreaders are made with plastic hoppers since the material is lightweight, relatively durable, and easy to maintain. Steel or stainless steel salt spreaders may be more durable over the years, but they generally weigh more and will require additional maintenance to prevent rust. Salt spreader handles and broadcast plates may also be made of either metal or plastic. As with the hopper, the use of metal in these parts may make them more durable but also heavier and in need of additional maintenance. ## FAQs While the above sections cover the most important features of salt spreaders, you may still have a few questions if you've never used one. Below, we answer a few of the most common queries about these devices. ## Meet the Tester Having spent half her life in the Midwest and the rest in the mountains, Michelle Larson is no stranger to snow or the amount of time it takes to remove it. Because she’d rather spend a little more upfront than buy a tool or appliance twice, she strongly believes in the power of product testing for finding quality items that are meant to last. ## Author Michelle is a lifelong learner who lives and plays in the mountains of Park City, Utah, with her husband, daughter, and pets. She came to the Commerce team at BobVila.com in February 2022 with more than 5 years’ experience as a business owner, writer, and program manager.